Area Coordinator - University Housing

About the role

The Area Coordinator is a member of the Residential Life Development and Staffing team within University Housing. Responsible for the implementation of a residential curriculum model focused on educating students in a residential area (areas range in size from 1,800 - 2,800 students in a total resident population of approximately 8,500) in the areas of promoting well-being, community engagement, social responsibility, lifelong learning, and cultural and identity exploration. This is accomplished via the direct supervision of full-time professional staff and overall management and leadership within Residential Life, including the development of policies and procedures for the area and unit.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise 4-5 full-time professional residence hall directors and 1-3 desk supervisors, conducting regular one-on-one supervisory meetings to meet the learning needs of each staff member.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and indirect supervision of student staff with the ability to implement residential curriculum strategies as well as operational duties, including Resident Advisors, Office Assistants, Senior Clerks, and Desk Clerks.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a broad range of cultural and educational training and development sessions that support the varied needs of professional staff, support staff, and paraprofessional staff in support of the mission of the University and University Housing.
• Model a scholar-practitioner approach via engagement with student development research and participation in educational training and development opportunities.
• Lead staff in the creation and implementation of lesson plans to achieve the goals and learning outcomes of the residential curriculum in the areas of Promoting Well-being, Community Engagement, Social Responsibility, Lifelong Learning, and Cultural & Identity Exploration.
• Oversee the evaluation and assessment of curricular strategies within the area.
• Assist in recruitment and selection of professional and support staff with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to implement our curricular model.
• Serve as chairpersons for various professional staff selection committees as needed.
• Conduct informal and formal performance appraisals for professional and support staff.
• Provide leadership for area staff on all hall operations and administrative duties.
• Report directly to one of the two Associate Directors for Residential Life Development and Staffing.
• Engage in University Housing’s inclusion, culture, and climate initiatives.

Community Development and Leadership

• Provide leadership, guidance and support to staff, students, and student groups in the ongoing development and implementation of our residential curriculum model.
• Provide leadership in the development of policies and programs that foster fairness, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for all individuals.
• Provide leadership development opportunities for members of area or campus student groups through structured advising and mentoring focused on educational opportunities that develop competencies that equip Illinois students to lead in a global community.
• Provide educational opportunities for staff and students to consider strategies for the development of intellectually engaging inclusive communities that meet curricular goals and outcomes.
• Provide guidance and direction to Residence Directors responsible for ongoing case management of residents of concern and collaborate directly with relevant partners (e.g., University Housing Case Managers, Connie Frank CARE Center, Counseling Center, etc.) as appropriate.
• Provide guidance to Residence Hall Directors as they consider restorative and educational measures to address student behavior, judicial procedures, and emergency response as hall/campus judicial officers.
• Develop collaborative relationships with staff and faculty in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.
• Engage in University Housing’s bias and intolerance response by designing and implementing restorative educational responses as a result of complaints filed.

Administrative Supervision

• Supervise, lead and manage Residential Life/University Housing operational processes (e.g. opening, closing, damage billing, fire inspections, key inventories, etc.).
• Provide oversight of area/hall offices, ensuring the provision of learning-centered customer service to students.
• Hold a lead role in one of four functional areas - Desk Operations, Desk Training, Break Housing, or Hall Opening/Closing - providing direction, coordination, and continuous improvement within the assigned area.
• Collaborate with various Housing units (such as Business Services, Facilities, Family & Graduate Housing, Housing Information & Marketing, Inclusion & Talent Development, Dining and Student Affairs Technology) to support all of Housing’s programs and services.
• Attend and/or facilitate regularly scheduled meetings (weekly Area Professional Staff, monthly Residential Life, quarterly Housing and Area Team, weekly Area Coordinator, and monthly Desk Operations staff meetings).
• Serve on and lead Residential Life committees focused on strategic planning, and operational processes.
• Coordinate response from all Housing Staff in the area (Residential Life/Conferences, Building Services, Dining Services, Maintenance, etc.) during emergencies.
• Prepare and monitor program and administrative budgets.
• Cookordinate and approve the use of area common facilities for meetings, programs, and other activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree. Three (3) years of full-time experience in residential life, college or university conference services, college student housing (on-campus or off-campus), student affairs, or a related field (higher education, counseling, social work). (Graduate assistantships are considered part-time work and do not count toward full-time experience.) Experience directly supervising staff. Experience working with individuals from varied background and perspectives in serving the campus community.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Higher Education Administration or a related field. Current work in residential life or university or college housing. Advanced supervisory skills, demonstrated leadership and management of day-to-day residence hall operations, successful community building strategies, conflict mediation skills, extremely strong interpersonal skills, and sound decision-making and evaluative skills. Demonstrated leadership working with individuals from varied backgrounds and perspectives in serving the campus community and facilitating educational efforts that foster inclusion, belonging, and mutual understanding. Experience implementing a residential curriculum. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities A working knowledge of student learning and student development, inclusive community building, and residential curricular models. Ability to work independently. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Excellent communication skills. Proficiency in any language(s) in addition to English. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and students while working with all individuals in an inclusive manner. Ability to receive, consider and integrate constructive feedback to improve performance and/or strengthen professional practice.